STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Baaaa humbug.
The 2020 Trailing of the Sheep Festival, set for early October has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Organizers had thought that the pandemic might be at low ebb by that time. But, while, Blaine County cases are simmering, cases are spiking elsewhere in Idaho and the rest of the nation.
“We made this decision with great thought and heavy hearts, but we have a moral obligation for the safety of everyone involved to cancel this year’s event due to the COVID-19 public health pandemic,” said Board President John Peavey. “But we will be back, better than ever, to celebrate our milestone 25th anniversary Oct. 6-10, 2021.”
The festival has a $4.5 million economic imput on the community. And the lamb industry was hard hit when restaurants were closed by the pandemic.
Given that, the Trailing of the Sheep board is encouraging people to make a point of eating lamb dishes from their favorite restaurant. Or, given the increased interest in cooking, try preparing lamb at home using the American Lamb Board’s cooking tips and recipes on its website, suggested Festival Director Laura Musbach Drake.